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The science behind later school start times
A high school student asleep on a school bus.

Image: LightFieldStudios via Getty Images

The science behind later school start times

As Pennsylvania districts consider later bells, Penn Medicine sleep and neuroscience experts explain why adolescent biology can make early school start times especially challenging.

Eric Horvath

2 min. read

A ‘breakthrough’ to restore memory
an implantable, handheld therapy device

Michael Kahana and colleagues have created an implantable therapy device to treat memory loss in adult patients with traumatic brain injuries. Results of studies about the device’s effectiveness have been promising, and this past March the FDA gave it “Breakthrough Device Designation.”

(Image: Or Barak)

A ‘breakthrough’ to restore memory

After decades of research and discovery, Michael Kahana in the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues are closer than ever to an AI-guided device to treat memory loss.

2 min. read

How AI could make autism screening more accessible
A child follows movements from a video in a clinical office setting.

CAMI-2DNet builds on a series of studies that have steadily moved computerized motor imitation assessment closer to clinical use.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Engineering)

How AI could make autism screening more accessible

Penn Engineers have built an AI-powered system designed to gauge children’s ability to imitate body motions using video, offering a new and effective way to assess for autism.

Melissa Pappas

2 min. read

Amyloid removal may reduce tau buildup and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease
Human brain with highlighted amygdala

Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

Amyloid removal may reduce tau buildup and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease

In a brain autopsy of a Penn Medicine clinical trial participant, regions cleared of amyloid showed little tau buildup, while nearby areas with persistent amyloid had greater signs of damage.

Kelsey Geesler

2 min. read

Why is everything gambling now?
Hand holding a mobile phone with sports bets lined up.

Over the last decade, there’s been an explosion in phone-based gambling platforms owing to the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that struck down a federal sports betting ban. Neuroscientist Michael L. Platt says the gambling boom has as much to do with human biology as it does business. 

(Image: Hispanolist)

Why is everything gambling now?

Neuroscientist Michael Platt discusses the biological basis of gambling as it relates to the over proliferation of gambling-based platforms.

5 min. read

Wired for connection

Wired for connection

PIK Professor Michael Platt and the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative are featured in a documentary special exploring the link between friendship and overall health

Immune protein a possible target to slow Parkinson’s disease
Neuron cell network

Image: koto_feja via Getty Images

Immune protein a possible target to slow Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at Penn Medicine have found that blocking a key neuronal protein interrupts the spread of toxins to healthy neurons in preclinical studies.

Eric Horvath

1 min. read

Most who meet proposed CTE criteria do not show disease signs at autopsy
Gloved hand holding a scan of four brains

Image: pangoasis via Getty Images

Most who meet proposed CTE criteria do not show disease signs at autopsy

New research from Penn Medicine finds proposed traumatic encephalopathy syndrome criteria often don’t match CTE pathology at autopsy, raising concerns about misdiagnosis and potential mental health impacts for at-risk groups.

Kelsey Geesler

2 min. read

Specialized RNA molecules could counter ALS neurodegeneration
Microscopic view of mRNA

Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine

Specialized RNA molecules could counter ALS neurodegeneration

Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered short RNA chaperones that bind to the primary target of ALS, restore its function, and protect motor neurons in a preclinical model, pointing toward a new RNA-based therapeutic strategy.

From Penn Medicine News

2 min. read